East River Esplanade between 93rd and 94th Streets Reopens
A gaping sinkhole on the East River Esplanade Remains but the Parks Department has figured a work around after a week when it was closed.
| 04 May 2026 | 06:22
The reopened section of the Esplanade between E 93rd and 94th Street and the sinkhole that remains. (
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After being closed for a whole week, the city reopened the East River Esplanade section between E 93rd and 94th Street on Thursday afternoon. The section of the path was closed off last Thursday because of a longstanding sinkhole that has gradually widened.
Now, after inspection by consultant engineers, the Parks Department said they have moved the fence so the grassy area and part of the path are able to be used. The sinkhole remains fenced off, but work crews were seen patching up the sinkhole as early as Monday morning.
This reopening will create ease for runners and walkers along the path, as well as commuters who use the Esplanade to access the 90th Street Ferry entrance.
In a statement to Our Town, a spokesperson for the Parks Department said that they are “still exploring options for the repair of the sinkhole with a contractor.”
Even with the sinkhole still not fully repaired, neighbors and East River advocates are happy to see the problem being met with swift action.
Jennifer Ratner, Board Chair of Friends of the East River Esplanade said the reopening and response from the city have left her “Optimistic after being pessimistic for a very long time.” Friends of the East River Esplanade have been monitoring the expanding sinkhole for decades and even started a petition to the city last week to reopen the path and repair the sinkhole.
“We respect and understand the complications for this area from an infrastructure standpoint,” said Ratner. “This is a very old problem.”
Our Town reached out to both the Department of Transportation who worked with the Parks Department to prepare a path alternative for the last week, as well as the Department of Environmental Protection who help address sinkholes across the city, but both redirected their comments to NYC Parks.